Nichaeus

Country:The EmpireRegion:AnthaniaPopulation: 100,000 in the four square-mile urban center, surrounded by a sprawl called “Greater Nichaeus” which is part of a dense population cluster encompassing Nichaeus, Tidusca and Imperial City along the southeast tip of Anthania.

HISTORY

The original settlement—Origarta—was a fishing village of the indigenous Anthanians. Worshipers of Orkus, god of the deep-sea chasms, they revered sharks and wore their teeth on necklaces.

A few months after the conquest (ca. 50-71 YE) a common soldier serving in the army—Mamer Nichaeus by name—convinced the locals that he was the emperor and intended to make Origarta the capital. They treated him with profound respect, catering to his every whim and offering him their daughters in marriage. Eventually Emperor Anthanius heard of this, and intended to punish him.

Rebellions and other matters distracted him, however, and eventually the problem was forgotten. Mamer Nichaeus died at age 70, having wed a local woman, and his son inherited the position of “emperor.” Eventually the deception was discovered, but by then the Nichaeus family had already gained allies and cemented its power.

By the early 300s, however, the city—now named Nichaeus—had adopted the town council and magistrate style of government, along with the other settlements of Anthania.

A large, permanent military camp was built in 420 YE.

As the stronger Peregoti-style sailing ships became prevalent, the rough waters around Nichaeus became less an obstacle for trade. As Imperial City boomed, so did Nichaeus. By 900 YE, the urban core reached a population of 100,000, and the Magistrate of Nichaeus became an important player in politics.